SBF Does Not Mention Caroline Ellison in NYT Interview

• During an interview with The New York Times, Sam Bankman-Fried did not mention Caroline Ellison’s name.
• Ellison was previously CEO of Bankman-Fried’s hedge-fund, Alameda Research.
• The former CEO of FTX denied that he knowingly committed fraud with Alameda Research.

Sam Bankman-Fried (30 years old) was the founder of the FTX crypto exchange that collapsed. He spoke on a variety of topics during his nearly hour-long interview interview at The New York Times DealBook summitWednesday

He didn’t mention Caroline Ellison, his former CEO of Alameda Research, his hedge fund. This is closely linked to the implosion at FTX.

The relationship between the two companies — and reports that Bankman-Fried and Ellison previously lived together in a Bahamas penthouse with other FTX and Alameda employees — came up during the interview.

Andrew Ross Sorkin of the New York Times asked Bankman Fried a number of questions about FTX and Alameda. Also, whether he had committed fraud through the “commingling funds”. These allegations were refuted by Bankman-Fried who did not mention Ellison.

Bankman-Fried stated during the interview that “I didn’t knowingly commingle money.” “I was surprised at the size of Alameda’s position, which points to another failure in oversight and failure to appoint someone who is chiefly responsible for it.

Sorkin asked Bankman-Fried if there was an $8 billion accounting error after bringing up the fact that Ellison allegedly told Alameda employees about how the hedge fund used FTX client money to cover its loans.

Sorkin asked Sorkin about drug use towards the end of the interview. He pointed to an apparent. past tweet from EllisonThat was “regular use of amphetamines.”

Bankman-Fried stated that he was unable talk for anyone else but also mentioned that he has been prescribed medication in the past to aid with focus.

The interview was Bankman Fried’s first video interview since the collapse FTX. Since then, a slew other media appearances have followed up. He’s repeatedly apologized for his oversights and mismanagement, while denying he committed fraud.

During his first network interview with ABC NewsBankman-Fried denied knowing of any “improper customer funds use” on Thursday, but claimed that he was responsible for both companies’ downfalls.

During an interview with ABC, he said that he wishes he had taken on more responsibility for understanding the details of the situation. “I should have been in control of this, and it’s really, really sad and regrettable that I wasn’t.” 

He also revealed to ABC News that Ellison and him had had a past relationship, but it had only lasted six-months. Ellison has not commented publicly since leaving Alameda Research. Insider tried to reach Ellison at Alameda Research to get his comment before publication but was unsuccessful.

During an interview with New York Magazine,Bankman-Fried claimed that he didn’t know what happened at Alameda over this past year.

Insider requested comment from Bankman-Fried prior to publication.